()
What’s almost as much fun as traveling? Planning that next big trip! Wherever your travel fantasies might lead you, there is one thing it generally does pay to do, and that is to secure tickets, bookings or reservations for all those things you dream of doing throughout the year. When you see to such tasks in good time, your airfare will likely be cheaper, you’ll get better seats at concerts, and find the best price-to-quality ratio accommodations.
If you’re not traveling this weekend, why not start putting your travel plans in order?
Let’s first look at the long holiday weekends and U.S. federal holidays in 2019. Then, look at the major events in Europe that coincide with them!
Tuesday, Jan. 1 New Year’s Day
Monday, Jan. 21 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, Feb. 18 - President's Day
Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day
Thursday, July 4 - Independence Day
Monday, Sept.2 - Labor Day
Monday, Oct. 14 - Columbus Day
Monday, Nov.11 - Veterans Day
Thursday, Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Day
Wednesday, Dec. 25 - Christmas Day
Here’s a sneak preview of events throughout Europe which coincide with long weekends for those who work according to a U.S. holiday schedule in 2019:
Jan. 21: Shannonside Winter Music Weekend in Shannon, Ireland Jan. 17-21; Tamborrada Drum Festival in San Sebastian, Spain Jan. 20
Feb. 18: Artisanal Chocolate Festival in Florence, Italy Feb. 8-17; Calcio Storico Fiorentino (a brutal form of medieval football) Feb. 17; Carnevale in Venice – festival on the water Feb. 17.
May 27: D-Day Festival in Normandy, France May 25-June 26; Prague Food Festival, Czech Republic, May 25-27; Tong Tong Fair (celebration of southeast Asian culture) in The Hague, Netherlands May 23-June 2.
July 4: Gent Jazz Festival in Gent, Belgium June 28-July 9; Les Ardentes music festival in Liege, Belgium July 4-7; Prague Harley Days in Prague, Czech Republic July 5-6; Roskilde Festival (rock concert with headliners including Travis Scott and The Cure) in Roskilde, Denmark June 29-July 6; Greenwich and Docklands International Festival in Greenwich, England end June first July (dates to be confirmed); The Estonian Song and Dance Celebration in Tallinn, Estonia July 4-7; Rudolstadt Festival for world, folk and roots music in Rudolstadt, Germany, July 4-7.
Sept. 2: Braderie de Lille (massive flea market) in Lille, France Sept. 1; Le Pfifferdaj (medieval festival) in Ribeauville, France Aug. 31-Sept. 1; Flower Parade in Zundert, Netherlands Sept. 1-2; Laundry Day (free music festival) in Antwerp, Netherlands Aug. 31.
Oct. 14: Kulturnatten (Culture Night) in Copenhagen, Denmark Oct. 11; Fete des Vendanges de Montmartre (grape harvest festival) in Paris Oct. 9-13; Signal Festival (light festival) in Prague, Czech Republic Oct. 10-13.
Nov. 11: Carnival celebrations in Cologne, Germany Nov. 11; GLOW festival of light in Eindhoven, Netherlands Nov. 9-16; Mittelaltermarkt (medieval market) in Meersburg, Germany Oct. 11-13.
Nov. 28: St. Andrew’s Day celebrations throughout Scotland around Nov. 30; Essen Motor Show in Essen, Germany Nov. 30-Dec. 8; Christmas markets open up in various cities throughout Europe.
Happy planning! What’s on your agenda for 2019?
